The annual crime awareness campaign celebrates its 31st year with community events.
By Jason KUROSU

Since 1984, National Night Out has given neighborhoods across the country an opportunity to gather, get to know each other and discover resources for boosting awareness of crime within the community.

Tuesday, Aug. 5 will be the 31st anniversary of the event, which has expanded from around 2.5 million people participating to nearly 40 million across the country today.

Locally several neighbors are meeting either in their own neighborhoods or at a central location. One such central event will be held at the Ralph’s parking lot in the 2600 block of Foothill Boulevard. Vendors, organizations and law enforcement officials will be on hand to speak with members of the public. Co-sponsored by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station and the National Association of Town Watch, the event will be attended by the Los Angeles County Fire Dept., California Highway Patrol and Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Dept. personnel. Along with safety information, there will be a classic car show, free fingerprinting for kids, and free giveaways.

NNO will be recognized throughout Glendale as well, with several neighborhoods in the North Command area reaching out to neighbors with movie nights, potlucks and pool parties.

“There is a big [event] on Los Olivos [Lane] and another one in Montrose Park for Sparr Heights,” said Glendale Officer Abe Chung, community officer North Command.

The residents of Sycamore Woods will be having their annual National Night Out at the Crescenta Valley Water District plant at the corner of Sycamore and Glenwood avenues, after four years of hosting it at the former site of the Twelve Oaks Assisted Living Facility.

Julia Leeper, head of the Sycamore Woods Neighborhood Watch, bemoaned the loss of Twelve Oaks but thanked police efforts to keep the property intact since its closure.

“We would like to extend our appreciation to the Glendale Police, Glendale Fire and elected officials for the assistance and concern we have received in our attempt to protect Twelve Oaks from vandalism or activities that could cause damage to the facility and/or our beloved neighborhood,” Leeper said.

Last year’s event at Twelve Oaks was visited by former Glendale Police Chief Ron de Pompa and featured a raffle for prizes. CVWD will be providing desserts this year in addition to the use of their facility.

“The concept of National Night Out is to have an event in your community … where residents get to know each other,” Chung said. “It is coming together within your neighborhood not only to get to know your neighbors but to take a stand against crime.”

Burbank Police Dept. will also be hosting a family-friendly NNO event from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the Burbank Police Dept. at 200 N. Third St.

To locate or organize a National Night Out event, visit www.natw.org. For those in Glendale who would like help organizing a NNO in their neighborhood next year, contact Officer Abe Chung at (818) 548-4015. For those in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County/La Crescenta or La Cañada, contact Sgt. Cynthia Gonzales at
(818) 248-3464. For the Burbank area,
call (818) 238-3223.

  Jason Kurosu